Is Chicago or Fort Dodge Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chicago is safer than Fort Dodge (Safety Score 8/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,257 for Fort Dodge — 6% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Fort Dodge has a 84% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 107.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Dodge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Fort Dodge, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Fort Dodge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 4,256.8 | -244.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 1,061.1 | -521.3 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 4.1 | +13.4 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 151.0 | -92.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 53.1 | +282.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 853.0 | -724.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,195.7 | +276.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 416.3 | -121.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,465.1 | -146.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 314.3 | +544.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Fort Dodge safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,257 for Fort Dodge — a 6% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Fort Dodge has 1,061.1. Chicago has lower violent crime.
About Chicago, IL
Chicago, Illinois, a major Midwest hub and birthplace of the skyscraper, sits on Lake Michigan's shores. Its diverse population of over 2.7 million people contributes to its vibrant arts and culture scene. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 2,638,698, Chicago has a total crime rate of 4,012.2 per 100,000 residents.
About Fort Dodge, IA
Fort Dodge, a city in Webster County, Iowa, sits on the Des Moines River. Historically a gypsum mining hub, it boasts a population of around 25,000. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 24,502, Fort Dodge has a total crime rate of 4,256.8 per 100,000 residents.